Hi all,
It's been a very long time away from the BBS scene. What is the fastest/user friendliest way to participate in FidoNet nowadays? Is downloading QWK packages still the way to go? Any other more practical methods you use?
--- SBBSecho 3.23-Linux
* Origin: 4d2 dot org // bbs.4d2.org // +1 541 442 4422 (1:105/45)

Hey Cem!

What is the fastest/user friendliest way to participate in FidoNet
nowadays?

I am guessing whatever way you posted the above question.

Is downloading QWK packages still the way to go?

I sure hope not ... QWK sucks ... always has.

Any other more practical methods you use?

Speaking for myself, bash scripts are the most practical method. I prefer the one that created this fine and honourable response. I especially like the old english taglines. The random penguin matrix above the tagline is also a nice touch, as well as makes my msgs far more unique than method(s) that were ever deployed by any nodelisted fidonet sysop anywhere on this planet.

I am the best. :-)

Дуже груви,
Maurice

-o o- o- o- -o o- -o -o -o o- o- o-
(\ /) /) /) (\ /) (\ (\ (\ /) /) /)
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
... Leorna hwæthwugu æt ðam wisran, þæt þu mæge læran þone unwisran.
Learn something from the wise, so you can teach the ignorant.
--- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
* Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)

On Thu, 25 Dec 2025 13:09:50 -0800
"Cem Uzunoglu -> All" <0@45.105.1> wrote:

Hi all,
It's been a very long time away from the BBS scene. What is the fastest/user friendliest way to participate in FidoNet nowadays? Is downloading QWK packages still the way to go? Any other more practical methods you use?
--- SBBSecho 3.23-Linux
* Origin: 4d2 dot org // bbs.4d2.org // +1 541 442 4422 (1:105/45)

I'd say *this* (nntp) method is "easiest".

But most of the time, I use OpenXP (see https:/openxp.kolico.ca)

---
* Origin: news://news.fidonet.fi (2:221/360.0)

Hello Maurice!

** On Friday 26.12.25 - 00:43, Maurice Kinal wrote to Cem Uzunoglu:

[...] The random penguin matrix
above the tagline is also a nice touch, as well as makes my msgs far more unique than method(s) that were ever deployed by any nodelisted fidonet sysop anywhere on this planet.

Just keep in mind that more than 12 penguins is not compatible
with quoting. ;)

-o o- o- o- -o o- -o -o -o o- o- o-
(\ /) /) /) (\ /) (\ (\ (\ /) /) /)
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^

12. Those "fit" OK.

--
../|ug

--- OpenXP 5.0.64
* Origin: (2:221/1.58)

Hey August!

Just keep in mind that more than 12 penguins is not compatible with
quoting. ;)

Yep. The below 100% legitimate penguin matrix fits perfectly in a msg but will indeed screw up any attempt to properly quote back given the additional characters added by any quote method currently being deployed by fidonet msg-ing types. What a shame.

-o o- o- o- -o o- -o -o -o o- o- o-
(\ /) /) /) (\ /) (\ (\ (\ /) /) /)
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^

12. Those "fit" OK.

Twice over now. I see it could easily go thrice.

Life is good,
Maurice

o- o- -o -o -o -o o- o- -o -o -o -o -o o- o- o- /) /) (\ (\ (\ (\ /) /) (\ (\ (\ (\ (\ /) /) /) ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ... Fidonet 4K - Sweet Sixteen Penguins of the Apocalypse.
--- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
* Origin: One of us @ (1:153/7001.2989)

Hi all,
It's been a very long time away from the BBS scene. What is the fastest/user friendliest way to participate in FidoNet nowadays? Is downloading QWK packages still the way to go? Any other more practical methods you use?

Some folks like QWK and some don't. I still think QWK or offline mail is the way to go.

--- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-7
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757)

August Abolins wrote to Cem Uzunoglu <=-

I'd say *this* (nntp) method is "easiest".

How do I get nntp credentials for FidoNet though? I'm currently syncing QWK packets with a BBS.

... Direct from the Ministry of Silly Walks
=== MultiMail/Linux v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.23-Linux
* Origin: 4d2 dot org // bbs.4d2.org // +1 541 442 4422 (1:105/45)

On Fri, 26 Dec 2025 01:14:10 -0800
"Cem Uzunoglu -> August Abolins" <0@45.105.1> wrote:

August Abolins wrote to Cem Uzunoglu <=-

AA> I'd say *this* (nntp) method is "easiest".

How do I get nntp credentials for FidoNet though? I'm currently syncing QWK
packets with a BBS.

Take a look inside the FIDONEWS newsletter for "JAMNNTPD SERVERS LIST". There is a section that lists various systems that offer nntp connections. Some may only have a meagre subset of available echos. But 2:221/360 is quite comprehensive.

---
* Origin: news://news.fidonet.fi (2:221/360.0)

Hello Maurice Kinal!

** On Friday 26.12.25 - 02:07, Maurice Kinal wrote to August Abolins:

Hey August!

Just keep in mind that more than 12 penguins is not compatible with
quoting. ;)

Yep. The below 100% legitimate penguin matrix fits perfectly in a msg
but will indeed screw up any attempt to properly quote back given the additional characters added by any quote method currently being deployed by fidonet msg-ing types. What a shame.

-o o- o- o- -o o- -o -o -o o- o- o-
(\ /) /) /) (\ /) (\ (\ (\ /) /) /)
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^

12. Those "fit" OK.

Twice over now. I see it could easily go thrice.

Thrice seems ok here.

o- o- -o -o -o -o o- o- -o -o -o -o -o o- o-
o- /) /) (\ (\ (\ (\ /) /) (\ (\ (\ (\ (\ /)
/) /) ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ... Fidonet 4K - Sweet Sixteen Penguins of the Apocalypse. -+- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
+ Origin: One of us @ (1:153/7001.2989)

Oops.. starting to get messy, like penguins usually are.

Maybe you can consider bringing in your penguins closer to each
other, eg:

-o o- o- o- -o o- -o -o -o o- o- o-
(\ /) /) /) (\ /) (\ (\ (\ /) /) /)
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^

--
../|ug

--- OpenXP 5.0.64
* Origin: (2:221/1.58)

Hey Alan!

I still think QWK or offline mail is the way to go.

I agree with offline mail but definetly *NOT* QWK ... or bluewave while we're at it. However given the lack of suitable client/server applications I can readily understand the attraction of multimail QWK / Synchronet ftp setup.

Personally I think the idea requires a total overhaul.

Дуже груви,
Maurice

o- -o -o -o o- o- -o o- o- -o o- o-
/) (\ (\ (\ /) /) (\ /) /) (\ /) /)
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
... WARNING: Mixing perogies with LSD may cause a bad trip to Vegreville.
--- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
* Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)

Hey August!

Thrice seems ok here.

I figured it should ... or at least for 12 and under. The problem here is that 3 out of 4 systems I cuurrently have working are all 16.

Maybe you can consider bringing in your penguins closer to each
other

Maybe for 16 but then that would complicate the routine that creates the penguin matrix. Mind you for more than 16, things are going to get complicated since additional row(s) of penguins will be required. With 12 being the upper limit per row of penguins, this wouldn't require any respacing, but then would require 2 rows of penguins (12 + 4 = 16). Given enough penguins and the matrix starts resembling a QR code.

Дуже груви,
Maurice

-o o- -o -o -o o- -o -o -o o- o- -o
(\ /) (\ (\ (\ /) (\ (\ (\ /) /) (\
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
... [Wif sceal] leohtmod wesan rune healdan, rumheort beon.
A woman should be cheerful, keep secrets, and have a generous heart.
--- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
* Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)

Hello Maurice!

26 Dec 25 15:49, you wrote to Alan Ianson:

I agree with offline mail but definetly *NOT* QWK ... or bluewave
while we're at it. However given the lack of suitable client/server applications I can readily understand the attraction of multimail QWK
/ Synchronet ftp setup.

Personally I think the idea requires a total overhaul.

Yes, if you're not interested in network emails, NNTP is fine and simple.

--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20250409
* Origin: Citrick BBS citlmbbs.synchro.net (2:341/207.1)

On Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:52:24 +0000
"Tanausu M. -> Maurice Kinal" <1@207.341.2> wrote:

Yes, if you're not interested in network emails, NNTP is fine and simple.

The server that I'm posting from supports netmail.

---
* Origin: news://news.fidonet.fi (2:221/360.0)

Hey Tanausu!

Yes, if you're not interested in network emails, NNTP is fine and
simple.

Why not a modified binkp transfer of BBS offline files instead? Why is everyone so set on making obsolete protocols of non-ftn messaging?

To be honest I am not interested in anything that doesn't account for FTN msg'ing, offline or otherwise. My stuff works 100% and currently uses scp to do transfers between points and the node.

"Little Mikey's Brain" doesn't require ANY abandonware. The only thing lacking is ye ol' hobby networking philosopy of olde.

Дуже груви,
Maurice

-o -o -o o- -o o- -o -o o- o- -o -o
(\ (\ (\ /) (\ /) (\ (\ /) /) (\ (\
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
... Þæs ofereode, þisses swa mæg.
That passed away; so will this.
--- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
* Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)

Hey Alan!

I still think QWK or offline mail is the way to go.

I agree with offline mail but definetly *NOT* QWK ... or bluewave while we're at it. However given the lack of suitable client/server applications I can readily understand the attraction of multimail QWK / Synchronet ftp setup.

I generally use BW with BBBS although it also offers Hippo (dunno what that is), Omen, Text format and one other I forget now. It works well and generally looka better formatted than using the BBBS online message ediror as I am now.

Personally I think the idea requires a total overhaul.

It could use that but there isn't much going on in the way of development in Fidoland anymore. There was a time when FTN was the place to be but that is long gone now, unfortunately.

--- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-7
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757)

Hey Alan!

I generally use BW with BBBS

Last time messaging with BBBS I used lynx to it's web interface. That wasn't offlining though.

There was a time when FTN was the place to be but that is long gone
now, unfortunately.

As far as I am personally concerned, I plan to continue, which probably makes me best-er. :-)

Дуже груви,
Maurice

o- o- o- -o -o -o -o o- -o o- o- o-
/) /) /) (\ (\ (\ (\ /) (\ /) /) /)
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
... A hafað longunge se þe on lagu fundað.
He ever has a longing who sets out on the sea.
--- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
* Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)